Sibal requests Stephen's Principal to ensure Unmukt sits for exams

New Delhi: HRD Minister Kapil Sibal today requested St Stephen's College Principal Walson Thampu to use his discretionary powers to ensure that Unmukt Chand, the captain of U-19 World Cup winning team, does not lose an academic year due to low attendance.

Talking to reporters, Sibal said, "I have requested Walson Thampu if he could use his discretionary powers to ensure that Unmukt could sit for his university exams.

"He said he was bound by university rules and then I requested the Vice Chancellor if he could use his emergency powers. He agreed to it and said he would be positively inclined," the minister said.

Asked if there should be a policy for such cases, Sibal said there should be a provision under university regulations where such emergency powers can be used in special cases in national interest.

Delhi University rules mandate a student to have at least 33.3 percent attendance in an academic session after all exemptions, but 19-year-old Unmukt, a first year BA student of St Stephen's College, could not attend required number of classes owing to his cricketing engagements.